This story was reported for San Diego News Network. To increase traffic, this story was published in three parts: On January 7, 14, 21 in 2010. As the story goes, young people supposedly didn’t really become involved in their communities or in policy-making until the 2008 presidential elections, when then-candidate Barack Obama mobilized them. We beg to differ though, because… Read more →
Category: Profile
Unfiltered: Kehoe and her green ways during state budget mess
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on December 29, 2009. California Sen. Christine Kehoe is looked to for a lot of matters. First, she’s a woman and has been involved in various women organizations since coming to the Golden State – causing other female politico hopefuls to look to her for guidance (Toni Atkins). Second, as a… Read more →
Kenyan torture survivor Taiga Wanyanja calls for American support
This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on November 12, 2009. In 1995, Taiga Wanyanja was in a torture chamber at Naivasha GK Prison outside of the Kenyan capitol, Nairobi. He never thought he would survive. Wanyanja, a husband and a father of two, was arrested on a charge involving a movement against the government of the… Read more →
Candidates separate themselves in contentious 50th District
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on November 12, 2009. California’s 50th Congressional District has had more than its share of the national spotlight, and not always for flattering reasons. Let’s start with words like “fraud” and “indictment” based on the Duke Cunningham bribery scandal (the former representative of the 50th District is now in federal prison),… Read more →
An unfiltered interview with Assemblymember Saldaña
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on October 5, 2009. She’s chair of the only bipartisan caucus in Sacramento – a caucus made up of women lawmakers. Through her work on the caucus, her passion for assisting women is evident. She gets heated though when you talk about the state budget cuts to health care. And she… Read more →
Young spills the beans on the city’s budget, personal life
This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on August 17, 2009. Councilmember Anthony Young has made some major changes in his life. He’s been a baseball player, a teacher and a staffer for a former councilmember. And when he least expected it, his boss died – leaving him to decide what his next move would be. Through… Read more →
Beaches, fiscal reforms make up the life of Kevin Faulconer
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on July 28, 2009. Soda in hand, Kevin Faulconer steps out of his kitchen to greet us. He doesn’t look as he normally does at the council meetings and around City Hall, that’s for sure. For one, he’s much taller up close, his tie is loosened up around his neck and… Read more →
Katherine Faulconer: The woman behind the man
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on July 28, 2009. If there we’re ever a perfect definition for a “devoted spouse,” Katherine Faulconer may be it. The wife of councilmember Kevin Faulconer for 10 years, what was meant to be an interview solely about her and her life with the elected official — turned into another interview… Read more →
Coronado’s mayor on the economy, education and ‘inconveniences’
This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on July 1, 2009. Donning flip-flops, khakis and a Hawaiian-print shirt, he isn’t your typical politician. At least not on this particular day. He just taught a summer history class to high school students and went into City Hall to complete a few tasks. But, as the mayor of Coronado… Read more →
Busy times for business leader Ruben Barrales
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on June 15, 2009. With a rise in border-related drug violence, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano felt compelled to form a task force to tackle the issue head-on. San Diegan Ruben Barrales was more than happy to get involved. Personifying the old adage: if you want to get something… Read more →